Fuel for Growth: Water Challenges Facing Arizonas Urban Environment by Doug Kupel - Lecture December 6, 2008

Learn about the challenges over water resource development for Arizona’s three signature cities: Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. These three urban areas could hardly be more different; a growth-oriented metropolis, an environmentally conscious city with deep cultural roots, and an outdoor-friendly mountain town. Despite these differences, their community leaders and public officials have taken similar approaches to developing water resources with varying degrees of success and acceptance. As the urban West tackles progressively more complex tasks of water management, Arizona’s environment will increasingly be tied to that of its ever-expanding cities. The history of urban water use provides a basis for an engaging discussion on the future path of water development in the West’s key population centers. Doug Kupel is a historian who has worked for the City of Phoenix since 1988, conducting research for environmental litigation. He is the author of Fuel for Growth: Water and Arizona’s Urban Environment, a book about municipal water use in Arizona. He received a Ph.D. from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Arizona, both in history. Dr. Kupel is also a registered professional archaeologist. Admission: Adults $7.00 Seniors/Students $4.00 Children 6-12 $3.00 Children 5 and under free